JP2004081499A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically complete a processing for taking out pachinko game balls inside a pachinko game machine by using a ball put-out device, after the putting-out of the balls is finished without using a ball detecting switch. <P>SOLUTION: When a ball take-out switch 19 is turned on, so as to output a ball take-out command, the stepping motor (sprocket 22) of the ball put-out device 15 is reversely rotated. Then the ball take-out processing is started, by which the pachinko game balls inside the ball put-out device 15, and also at the upstream side are put out to a ball take-out passage 18, and taken-out. The ball take-out processing is completed when the rotation amount of the stepping motor (sprocket 22) of the ball put-out device 15 after the start of the processing reaches a ball take-out completing rotation amount which is required for completely taking-out the maximum storage number of the pachinko game balls. When the ball take-out switch 19 is turned on during the ball take-out processing, it is determined that the ball take-out command is outputted. Thus, the ball take-out processing is immediately completed even when the rotation amount of the stepping motor of the ball put-out device 15 does not reach the ball take-out completing rotation amount after starting the processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pachinko machine in which the method of "ball-pulling" for extracting pachinko balls in a pachinko machine out of the machine is improved.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A general pachinko machine pays out a predetermined number of pachinko balls supplied from a ball tank provided on an upper rear surface thereof as a prize ball (or a lending ball) to a ball plate at a lower front portion of the pachinko machine by a ball payout device. Like that. Normally, pachinko balls to be supplied to the ball dispensing device are used in a state of being stored inside the pachinko machine (from the ball tank to the ball dispensing device). It is necessary to remove balls from the stored pachinko balls.
[0003]
Therefore, a ball release switch is provided on the pachinko machine, and by turning on the ball release switch, a ball release process for discharging and extracting pachinko balls inside the pachinko machine with the ball discharge device is started, and an upstream side of the ball discharge device is provided. Based on the output signal of the ball detection switch arranged in the ball path, when the undetected state of the pachinko ball has continued for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that all the pachinko balls inside the pachinko machine have been removed, and the ball removal processing is automatically performed. There is one that is intended to end.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional ball removing device, it is necessary to provide a ball detection switch in the ball passage on the upstream side of the ball dispensing device and connect the ball detection switch and the control circuit with a harness. There is a disadvantage that assembling work increases and costs increase.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to automatically end ball removal processing after completion of ball removal without using a ball detection switch. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pachinko machine capable of satisfying the requirement for the cost reduction of a punching system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a pachinko machine according to claim 1 of the present invention dispenses pachinko balls in and upstream of the ball dispensing device based on a ball removing command by the ball dispensing control means. The ball-pulling process is started, and the ball-pulling-out process is terminated when the payout amount of the ball payout device after the ball-pulling-out process starts reaches a predetermined ball-pulling-out completion operation amount.
[0007]
In this way, the amount of operation of the ball dispensing device after the start of the ball removing process is required to remove all balls of the maximum number of pachinko balls that can be stored from the ball tank of the pachinko machine to the ball dispensing device. The ball-pulling process can be ended when the ball-pulling-out completion operation amount has been reached. Accordingly, even if the ball detection switch for detecting the pachinko balls supplied to the ball dispensing device or the ball detection switch for detecting the pachinko balls dispensed from the ball dispensing device and omitted is omitted, the pachinko machine inside the pachinko machine is omitted. After all the balls have been removed, the removal process can be automatically terminated, and the cost of the automatic removal system can be reduced.
[0008]
By the way, the dispensing operation amount of the ball dispensing device after the start of the ball dispensing process may be measured by, for example, the rotation amount of the motor of the ball dispensing device. If it is configured to end the ball removal process when the predetermined time required to remove all the pachinko balls has been reached, if the ball is caught by the sprocket or the stepping motor loses synchronization during the ball removal process, If a problem occurs in which the payout operation of the ball payout device is temporarily stopped, there is a possibility that the ball-pulling process may end when a predetermined time has elapsed, even though ball-pulling has not actually been completed. is there.
[0009]
In this regard, in the present invention, even if the payout operation of the ball payout device temporarily stops for some reason during the ball removal process, the payout operation amount of the ball payout device reaches the ball removal completion movement amount. Since the ball removing process can be continued until the ball removing process is completed, it is possible to prevent the ball removing process from being completed before the ball removing process is completed.
[0010]
By the way, when the number of pachinko balls stored in the pachinko machine is smaller than the maximum number of stored balls, the dispensing operation amount of the ball dispensing device is a ball-pulling complete operation amount (all ball balls of the maximum number of stored pachinko balls are ball-pulled). Since the ball removal is completed before the required amount of movement is reached, the ball payout device idles thereafter.
[0011]
Therefore, when a ball-pulling end command is issued during the ball-pulling process, the ball-pulling process may be terminated at that time. With this configuration, when the pachinko clerk confirms the completion of the ball removal and issues a ball removal end command during the ball removal process, the ball removal process can be immediately terminated, and the waste of the ball dispensing device can be prevented. It is possible to reduce unnecessary idling and to shorten the ball removing work time.
[0012]
Further, as in claim 3, the ball dispensing device switches the rotation direction of the ball dispensing rotator that dispenses pachinko balls, thereby changing the payout destination of the pachinko ball to a normal ball dispensing passage and a ball removing passage connecting outside the machine. It is preferable to switch between the two. With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a flow path switching mechanism for switching the flow destination of the pachinko ball between the normal ball discharge passage and the ball removal passage separately from the ball discharge device, and the number of parts is reduced to achieve a configuration. It is possible to simplify and reduce the size and to further reduce the cost.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the schematic configuration of the back side of the pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIG. A ball tank 12 for refilling pachinko balls from a ball supply passage (not shown) on the pachinko island is provided at an upper portion on the back side of the pachinko machine 11, and the ball tank 12 is provided with the pachinko balls flowing therefrom in an aligned state. Is connected to the tank rail 13 to flow down. A ball supply path 14 is connected to the lower end of the tank rail 13, and a ball dispensing device 15 that pays out pachinko balls (prize balls and ball rentals) is connected to the lower end of the ball supply path 14.
[0014]
Below the ball dispensing device 15, a normal ball dispensing passage 17 communicating with a ball tray 16 disposed on the front side of the pachinko machine 11, and a ball removing passage 18 communicating outside the machine (ball collecting passage on Pachinko Island). Is provided. Further, at a predetermined position on the back side of the pachinko machine 11 (that is, a position that cannot be operated from the front side of the pachinko machine 11), there is provided a ball release switch 19 for starting or ending the ball removal process described later. The ball release switch 19 is configured by a momentary switch that outputs an ON signal only when the push operation unit 19a is pressed.
[0015]
Next, the configuration of the ball payout device 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. The ball dispensing device 15 is provided with two ball supply paths 21 in an upper part in the main body case 20, and a sprocket 22 (a ball dispensing rotary body) is disposed below each ball supply path 21. A plurality of (for example, three) concave portions 23 for receiving pachinko balls are formed at equal intervals (for example, at 120 ° intervals) on the outer periphery of each sprocket 22, and between each concave portion 23, a pachinko ball at the outlet of the ball supply path 21 is provided. A convex portion 24 for supporting is formed.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, each ball supply path 21 is formed so as to be bent in the lateral direction (axial direction of the sprocket 22), so as to reduce the load of the pachinko ball applied to the sprocket 22. Further, two sprockets 22 arranged corresponding to the two ball supply paths 21 are provided so as to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 25, and the positions of the concave portions 23 (convex portions 24) between the two sprockets 22 are provided. Are staggered. A stepping motor 26 for driving the sprocket 22 is disposed behind (to the right in FIG. 3) the sprocket 22, and a rotating shaft 25 of the sprocket 22 is connected to a rotating shaft 27 of the stepping motor 26.
[0017]
In addition, a rotating body 28 for detecting a rotational position is provided on the rotating shaft 25 of the sprocket 22 so as to be integrally rotatable. On the outer periphery of the rotating body 28, slits 29 of a number (for example, six) corresponding to the number of pachinko balls to be dispensed per rotation of the stepping motor 26 are formed at equal intervals (for example, at 60 ° intervals). Each time the stepping motor 26 rotates by the number of detection intervals and the ball payout device 15 pays out one ball, the rotation position detection sensor 30 (see FIG. 3) detects the slit 29 and outputs a rotation position detection signal. Is output. The rotation position detection sensor 30 is configured by an optical sensor including a light emitting element (for example, a light emitting diode) and a light receiving element (for example, a phototransistor).
[0018]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, on the left side of each sprocket 22, two prize balls extending downward from the outlet of each ball supply path 21 and a ball dispensing flow path 31 for lending balls are provided. On the right side of 22, there is provided a ball discharging flow path 32 for removing balls extending downward from the outlet of each ball supply path 21.
[0019]
When the ball dispensing device 15 is stopped, the sprocket 22 is stopped at a predetermined stop position. At this time, one of the sprockets 22 has the recess 23 opposed to the outlet of the ball supply path 21 and supports the pachinko ball received in the recess 23 with the ball receiving concave portion 34 to prevent the pachinko ball from falling. The convex portion 24 opposes the outlet of the ball supply path 21 to support the pachinko ball and prevent the ball from falling.
[0020]
When paying out a prize ball or a lending ball, the stepping motor 26 is rotated forward to rotate the sprocket 22 in the forward rotation direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 2). Thus, each time the concave portion 23 faces the outlet of the ball supply path 21, the pachinko ball is received by the concave portion 23, and the pachinko ball flows down to the prize ball on the left side of the sprocket 22 and the ball dispensing flow channel 31 for ball lending. The normal ball payout path 17 is connected below the ball payout path 31 for the prize ball and the ball rental, so that the pachinko ball paid out from the ball payout path 31 for the prize ball and the ball rental is It flows down the normal ball payout passage 17 and flows into the ball plate 16 on the front side of the pachinko machine 11.
[0021]
On the other hand, in the case of performing ball removal in which the pachinko balls inside the pachinko machine (inside and upstream of the ball dispensing device 15) are dispensed by the ball dispensing device 15, the stepping motor 26 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the sprocket 22 is rotated in the reverse direction. In the direction (clockwise in FIG. 2). As a result, each time the concave portion 23 faces the outlet of the ball supply path 21, the pachinko ball is received by the concave portion 23, and the pachinko ball flows down to the ball discharging channel 32 on the right side of the sprocket 22. Since the ball removal passage 18 is connected below the ball removal passage 32, the pachinko balls discharged from the ball removal passage 32 flow down the ball removal passage 18. It is discharged outside the aircraft (the ball collection passage on Pachinko Island).
[0022]
A ball detection sensor 33 for detecting a pachinko ball (prize ball or lending ball) discharged from the sprocket 22 is provided at the most upstream portion of the ball payout channel 31 for award balls and lending balls. A ball detection sensor for detecting a pachinko ball discharged from the sprocket 22 (that is, a pachinko ball to be removed) is not provided in the ball discharging passage 32 for punching.
[0023]
Output signals from the ball release switch 19, the rotation position detection sensor 30, the ball detection sensor 33, and the like are input to a control circuit 35 (see FIG. 1) of the pachinko machine. The control circuit 35 executes the ball payout control program (not shown) stored in the ROM (storage medium) to control the sprocket 22 of the ball payout device 15 based on the prize ball payout command or the ball loan payout command. By rotating the ball forward, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out to the ball plate 16 as prize balls or rental balls. In addition, you may make it pay out only a prize ball, without having a rental ball payout function.
[0024]
In addition, the control circuit 35 executes the ball removal control program shown in FIG. 4 to rotate the sprocket 22 of the ball dispensing device 15 in the reverse direction when the ball removal command is issued by the ball removal switch 19, so that the inside of the pachinko machine is operated. A ball removal process for paying out and extracting the pachinko balls by the ball delivery device 15 is started, and the rotation amount (discharge operation amount) of the stepping motor 26 (sprocket 22) after the start of the ball removal process becomes a predetermined ball removal completion rotation amount ( The ball-pulling process is terminated when the ball-pulling completion operation amount has been reached. Hereinafter, the processing content of the ball removal control program shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
[0025]
The ball-pulling control program shown in FIG. 4 is executed at a predetermined cycle, and plays a role as a ball-pulling control means referred to in the claims. When the present program is started, first, in step 101, it is determined whether or not the ball release switch 19 is turned on. In the present program, when the ball release switch 19 is input while the ball release process is not being performed, it is determined that a ball release command has been issued, and the ball release switch 19 is turned on during the ball release process. If a signal is input, it is determined that a ball-pulling end command has been issued.
[0026]
If it is determined in step 101 that the ball removing switch 19 is not turned on, the process proceeds to step 102, and it is determined whether the ball removing process is being performed. If the ball removing switch 19 is not turned on and the ball removing process is not being performed, the present program is terminated.
[0027]
Thereafter, when it is determined in step 101 that the ball removing switch 19 is turned on, the process proceeds to step 103, and it is determined whether the ball removing process is being performed. When it is determined that the ball release switch 19 is turned on and it is determined that the ball release process is not being performed, that is, when the ON signal of the ball release switch 19 is input when the ball release process is not performed. Then, it is determined that the ball removal command has been issued, and the routine proceeds to step 104, in which the stepping motor 26 (sprocket 22) of the ball delivery device 15 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the inside of the pachinko machine (inside and upstream of the ball delivery device 15) is operated. A ball removal process is started in which the pachinko balls are paid out by the ball payout device 15 and extracted.
[0028]
Thereafter, the routine proceeds to step 105, where the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 (sprocket 22) after the start of the ball-pulling process is determined based on the total number of rotation position detection signals output from the rotational position detection sensor 30 after the start of the ball-pulling process. Is calculated. Thereafter, the routine proceeds to step 106, where it is determined whether or not the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 (sprocket 22) after the start of the ball removal process is equal to or greater than a predetermined ball removal completion rotation amount. Here, the ball removal completion rotation amount is the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 required to remove all the ball of the maximum number of stored pachinko balls that can be stored inside the pachinko machine (in the ball dispensing device 15 and upstream thereof). Is set to
[0029]
If the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 after the start of the ball removal process has not reached the ball removal completion rotation amount, the program ends with the ball removal process being executed. If the ball removal switch 19 is not turned on during this ball removal processing, the process proceeds to step 101 → step 102 → step 105 → step 106, and the stepping motor 26 is rotated until the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 reaches the ball removal complete rotation amount. Is repeated, and the process of determining whether or not the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 is equal to or greater than the ball removal completion rotation amount is repeated.
[0030]
Thereafter, when the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 after the start of the ball-pulling process is equal to or more than the ball-pulling completion rotation amount, it is determined that all the pachinko balls in the pachinko machine have been ball-pulled, and the process proceeds to step 107 to pay out the balls. The reverse rotation of the stepping motor 26 (sprocket 22) of the device 15 is stopped, and the ball removing process ends.
[0031]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 101 that the ball release switch 19 has been turned on, and if it is determined in step 103 that the ball release process is being performed, that is, the ON signal of the ball release switch 19 during the ball release process Is input, it is determined that a ball-pulling end command has been issued, and the process proceeds from step 103 to step 107, where the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 after the ball-pulling process starts has not reached the ball-pulling completion rotation amount. Then, the ball removing process ends.
[0032]
According to the present embodiment described above, when a ball removal command is issued by the ball removal switch 19, the ball removal process for paying out and removing the pachinko balls inside the pachinko machine with the ball delivery device 15 is started. When the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 (sprocket 22) of the ball dispensing device 15 after the start reaches the ball removal completion rotation amount required to remove all the pachinko balls having the maximum stored number, the ball removal process is ended. . Accordingly, even if the ball detection switch for detecting the pachinko balls supplied to the ball dispensing device 15 and the ball detection switch for detecting the pachinko balls dispensed and discharged from the ball dispensing device 15 are omitted, the inside of the pachinko machine may be omitted. After all of the pachinko balls have been removed, the removal process can be automatically terminated, and the demand for cost reduction can be satisfied.
[0033]
Further, when the ball removal process is configured to end when the elapsed time after the start of the ball removal process is equal to or longer than a predetermined time required to remove all the pachinko balls having the maximum stored number, 1. If a problem occurs in which the dispensing operation of the ball dispensing device 15 is temporarily stopped due to the ball biting of the sprocket 22 or the step-out of the stepping motor 26 during the ball removing process, the ball removal is not actually completed. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that the ball emptying process will end when the predetermined time has elapsed.
[0034]
In this regard, in the present embodiment, even if the payout operation of the ball payout device 15 (the rotation of the stepping motor 26) is temporarily stopped during the ball removing process, the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 is changed to the ball removal completion rotation. Since the ball removing process can be continued until the amount becomes equal to or more than the amount, it is possible to prevent the ball removing process from ending even though the ball removing process is not completed.
[0035]
By the way, when the number of pachinko balls stored in the pachinko machine is smaller than the maximum storage number, the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 of the ball dispensing device 15 becomes the ball removal completion rotation amount (the maximum storage number of pachinko balls is used. Since the ball removal is completed before reaching the amount of rotation required to remove all the balls, the ball dispensing device 15 idles thereafter.
[0036]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, if a ball-pulling end command is issued during the ball-pulling-out process, the ball-pulling-out process is terminated at that point. When a ball-pulling end command is issued by the switch 19, the ball-pulling process can be immediately terminated, the useless idle rotation of the ball payout device 15 can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. It is possible to shorten the time and improve the work efficiency of the replacement work and the maintenance and inspection work.
[0037]
Further, in the present embodiment, the ball dispensing device 15 is configured to switch the pachinko ball dispensing destination between the normal ball dispensing passage 17 and the ball removing passage 18 by switching the sprocket 22 between forward rotation and reverse rotation. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a flow path switching mechanism for switching the flow destination of the pachinko ball between the normal ball discharging path and the ball removing path separately from the ball discharging device 15, and the number of parts is reduced to simplify the configuration. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the ball removing mechanism and to further reduce the cost.
[0038]
However, the ball dispensing device does not have a flow path switching function, and the pachinko ball is dispensed by rotating the sprocket in only one direction, and a flow path switching mechanism is arranged below the ball dispensing device to discharge the ball. The downflow destination of the pachinko balls dispensed from the device may be switched between a normal ball dispensing passage and a ball emptying passage by a passage switching mechanism. In this case, the ball dispensing device and the channel switching mechanism may be unitized.
[0039]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 is detected by detecting the slit 29 that rotates integrally with the stepping motor 26 with the rotation position detection sensor 30 (optical sensor). The method of detecting the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 may be appropriately changed. For example, the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 may be detected by detecting a magnet that rotates integrally with the stepping motor 26 with a magnetic detection sensor. Further, the rotation amount of the stepping motor 26 may be detected based on the number of driving steps of the stepping motor 26.
[0040]
In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the ball discharging device 15 that controls the rotation of the sprocket 22 by the stepping motor 26. However, the ball discharging device that controls the rotation of the sprocket by reciprocating the rotation control lever with a rotary actuator or the like. The configuration of the ball payout device may be changed as appropriate, for example, the present invention may be applied to the device. Further, a screw or the like may be used as the ball payout rotating body instead of the sprocket.
[0041]
In the above-described embodiment, the ball release command and the ball release end command are generated by one ball release switch 19. However, the ball release switch for generating the ball release command and the ball release end command are generated. May be separately provided. Alternatively, a ball-pulling command or a ball-pulling end command may be generated only when the ball-pulling switch or the ball-pulling end switch is operated in a specific operation pattern. Alternatively, a ball removal command or a ball removal end command may be output from a hall computer or the like.
[0042]
Further, a ball-shaped jig or the like may be inserted into an insertion hole provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 11 to operate the ball removing switch 19.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the ball removing device of the pachinko machine of claim 1 of the present invention, after starting the ball removing process, the dispensing operation amount of the ball dispensing device becomes the predetermined ball removing complete operation amount. Since the ball-pulling process is terminated when the ball reaches the ball, the ball-pulling process can be automatically terminated after the ball-pulling is completed without using the ball detection switch, and the demand for cost reduction can be satisfied. It is possible to prevent the ball-pulling process from being terminated before the ball-pulling is completed even if the payout operation of the ball payout device is temporarily stopped for some reason during the ball-pulling process. it can.
[0044]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, if a ball-pulling end command is issued during the ball-pulling process, the ball-pulling process is terminated at that time. When a ball-pulling end command is issued and the ball-pulling end command is issued, the ball-pulling process can be immediately terminated, the idling of the ball payout device can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. The efficiency of replacement work and maintenance work can be improved.
[0045]
Furthermore, in the third aspect, the ball dispensing device is configured to switch the payout destination of the pachinko ball between the normal ball dispensing passage and the ball removing passage by switching the rotation direction of the ball dispensing rotating body. It is not necessary to provide a flow path switching mechanism separately from the apparatus, and it is possible to satisfy the demand for downsizing and cost reduction of the ball removing mechanism.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical front view of a ball payout device. FIG. 3 is a vertical side view of a ball payout device. FIG. [Description of reference numerals]
11: Pachinko machine, 15: Ball ejection device, 16: Ball tray, 17: Normal ball ejection passage, 18: Ball ejection passage, 19: Ball ejection switch, 22: Sprocket (ball ejection rotating body), 26: Stepping motor 28, a rotating body for detecting a rotational position, 29, a slit, 30 a rotational position detecting sensor, 31, a ball payout path for award balls and ball lending, 32, a ball payout path for removing balls, 35, control Circuit (ball-pull control means).

Claims (3)

In a pachinko machine equipped with a ball payout device that pays out pachinko balls as prize balls or rental balls,
Based on the ball-pulling instruction, the ball-paying device starts ball-pulling processing for paying out and extracting pachinko balls inside and upstream of the ball-pulling-out device with the ball-pulling-out device. A pachinko machine comprising a ball-pulling control means for terminating the ball-pulling processing when a predetermined ball-pulling completion operation amount is reached. 2. The pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein, when a ball-pulling end command is issued during the ball-pulling process, the ball-pulling control unit ends the ball-pulling process at that time. The ball dispensing device is configured to switch the rotation direction of a ball dispensing rotator that dispenses pachinko balls, thereby switching a payout destination of the pachinko ball between a normal ball dispensing passage and a ball removing passage communicating outside the machine. The pachinko machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

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